US2323852A

US2323852A - Device for opening and emptying cartons

Info

Publication number: US2323852A
Application number: US450942A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen G Seidel; Robert P Lownes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1942-07-14
Filing date: 1942-07-14
Publication date: 1943-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 1960-07-06

Description

y 1943' s. e. SEIDEL ET AL 2,323,852

DEVICE FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING CARTONS Filed July 14, 1942 12 Sheets-Sheet l July 6, 1943. s. G. SEIDEL ET AL 2,323,852

DEVICE FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING CARTONS July 6, 1943. s. e. SEIDEL ET AL DEVICE FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING CARTONS Filed July 14, 1942 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q Rm Q R 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 mmnx s. G. SEIDEL ET AL DEVICE FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING CARTONS Fileci July 14, 1942 July 6, 1943.

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S. G. SEIDEL ET AL DEVICE FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING CARTONS Filed July 14, 1942 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 y 6, 1943- s. G. SEIDEL ET AL 2,323,852

DEVICE FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING CARTONS Filed July 14, 1942 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 7 July 6, 1943. s. e. SEIDEL ET AL 2,323,852 9 DEVICE FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING CARTONS Filed July 14, I942 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 fi/g. k5

ZZ Z 7/ WWW July 9 s. G. SEIDEL ET AL DEVICE FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING CARTONS 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed July 14, 1942 SN WE y' 1943- S. G. SEIDEL ET AL DEVICE FOR QPENING AND EMPTYING CARTONS Filed July 14/ 1942 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 y 1943' s. G. SEIDEL ET AL DEVICE FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING CARTONS l2 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed July 14, 1942 K W 21 n/fl a a July 6, 1943. s GiSElDEL ETAL 2,323,852

DEVICE FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING CARTONS Filed July 14, 1942 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Patented July 6, 1943 I 2,323,852 DEVICE FOR OPENING AND EMPTYING ARTONS Stephen G. Seidel and Robert P. Lownes, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application July 14, 1942, Serial No. 450,942

20 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for automatically opening and emptying cartons containing bottles and the like. and the principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and generally improved device of this class.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the stated character that is capable of operating continuously upon successive cartons which may be fed to the opening and emptying portions of the apparatus by means of a suitable conveyer, the bottles and cartons after emptying being conveyed separately to a remote station or stations for subsequent operations.

A continuously operating device of this character is of particular value in bottling plants wherein it provides a means for automatically removing the bottles from the original cartons and for delivering the bottles by conveyer to the cleaning and bottling machines. It is possible, for example, with a device of this character to route the bottle-containing cartons in continuous operation over a cyclic path through the bottling plant, wherein the bottles are removed from the cartons, washed, sterilized, filled and repackaged in the original cartons, said path beginning and terminating, for example, in a. freight car which originally transported the cartons with the empty bottles to the plant and which may 'also be used to transport the bottled goods to a point of final destination.

The invention resides further in certain structural and mechanical details and arrangements hereinafter described and illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show in side elevation contiguous sections of the opening and emptying apparatus forming the subject of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of theportion of the device embraced by the line 4-4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a, top plan view of the portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a portion of the' mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 5;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of the portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of one of the elements of the assembly shown in the preceding figures:

Fig. 9 is a view in perspective of one of the bottle-containing cartons;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the portion of the device shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 1' and the right-hand side of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is an end elevational view from the line ll-| I, Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a view corresponding to Fig. 11 showing the apparatus adjusted for cartons of relatively small size;

Fig. 13- is'a section on the line l3l3, Fig. 10;

Figs. 14 and 15 are views in perspective in opposite directions as viewed from the lines l4l4 and [5-45, respectively, Fig. 10;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged side elevational view of that portion of the mechanism shown at the right-hand end of Fig. 2;

Fig. 17 is a section on the line l'l-I'l, Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a section on the line Iii-l8, Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional view on the line Iii-l9, Fig. 16;

Fig. 20 is a side elevational view illustrating a modification within the scope of the invention;

Fig. 21 is a section on the line 2i--2l, Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a side elevation illustrating a still further modification;

Fig. -23 is a top plan view illustrating still another modification within the scope of the invention;

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a section on the line 25-25, Fig. 23;

Fig. 26 is a view in perspective illustrating another modificatlon within the scope of the invention;

Fig. 2'? is a transverse sectional view illustrating the mode of operation of the device shownv in Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a view in perspective illustrating still another modification along the line shown in Fig. 26

Figs. 29 and 30 are fragmentary longitudinal sectional views showing details of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 28, and I I v Fig. 31 is a section on the line 3l3l, Fig. 29.

With reference particularly toFigs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the device forming the subject of the present invention comprises a conveyer I which is adapted to feed the unopened cartons 2 with their contained empty bottles either bygravity or by other suitable means to the upper end of an inclined section 3 containing the means for in part opening the cartons so as topermit the bottles to escape therefrom.

The cartons, which may be of the typical form shown in Fig. 9, are placed upon the conveyer I so that the

unsealed closing flaps

4, 4 and 5, 5 are at the under side; and the bottles, which are separated by a partitioning element 6 set loosely inthe carton, are originally inserted in the cartons so that when the latter is placed on the conveyer as described, the bottles will be in upright positions.

From the inclined section 3, the cartons pass to a section designated by the reference numeral 1, wherein the

flaps

4 and 5 are fully opened so as to permit the bottles to pass'from the carton to an underlying conveyer 8 on which they are carried to a cross conveyer 9 for transfer to a remote point not shown. The cartons 2 are advanced on an upwardly diverging guide II which extends over the conveyer 8, and are eventually transferred to a cross conveyer l2, means being provided, as hereinafter described, for inverting the carton so that it is received on the conveyer |2 in an upright position, as shown in Fig. '1.

The conveyer section comprises in the present instance a suitable frame i3 which is slightly inclined toward the upper end of the section 3 and in which are ioumaled a plurality of free rollers H which support the cartons 2. Side plates l5 are provided for holding the cartons in place upon the rollers l4 and for guiding the cartons to the upper end of the section 3. It is to be understood that the conveyer section of which only the end portion is shown, may be of any length and character to feed the carton 2 with their contained bottles from a remote point to the upper end of the section 3. It will be noted that in the present instance the upper end of the latter section and the adjoining end of the section l are supported on suitable brackets I6 depending from beams Not a ceiling structure E3.

The section 3 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 10 to 15, inclusive. It consists of an elongated trough-like base frame 19 within which are mounted side plate members 2| and 22, these members being transversely adjustable in the trough l9 to vary th effective width of the section 3, as hereinafter described. Each of the plates 2| and 22 has an inturned flange 23 at the bottom which forms a footing for the plates in the bottom of the trough. Suitably journaled in the bottom of the trough I9 and extending longitudinally therefrom and in opposite directions from approximately the mid section are

shafts

24 and 25. The adjoining ends of the shafts are provided with bevel, pinions 25, 28

which mesh with a pinion 21 on the upper end a of a stub shaft 28, this shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of the trough l9 and having at its lower end a crank arm 29 by means of which it may be manually turned to operate the

shafts

24 and 25. Each of the shafts has at its opposite end a threaded terminal section 3| which engages a. correspondingly threaded block 32, said blocks being slidably supported in guides 33 secured to and extending longitudinally of the bottom wall of the trough l9. To the top and bottom of each of the blocks 32 is pivotally connected a pair of

links

34, 34, the outer ends of the links of each pair being pivotally connected, respectively, to brackets 35 which are secured to the inner faces of beams 36 bolted to the side plates 2| and 22. The extremities 3| which respectively engage the blocks 32 are oppositely threaded so that rotation of the

shafts

24 and 25 results in a sliding movement in opposite directions of the associated blocks 32 in the respective guides 33. Under these circumstances, the links 34 act after the manner of toggles to draw the side plates 2| and 22 together or to further separate them, depending on the direction of rotation of the shafts. By rotating the crank 29, therefore, the effective distance between the side plates 2| and 22 may be varied as required. It will be noted that bolts 31 are supported in the side walls of the trough l9 and extend between said side walls through the side plates 2| and 22 and the beams 36, these bolts functioning as guides to retain the plates 2| and 22 in a normal parallel position within the trough withthe flanges 23 of the side plates in slidable engagement with the bottom of the trough as illustrated.

At the end of the section 3 which adjoins the delivery section see Fig. 15, the side plate 22 has an inwardly projecting horizontal flange plate 38. This plate 38 has at the end of the section a portion 39 of relatively great width, and the remainder of the plate is relatively narrow as illustrated. The edge of the plate 38 which abuts the side plate 22 is secured to and is supported by a filler member 4|, of wood in the present instance, which is confined between the inner face of the plate 2| and the inturned edge portion 42 of the plate 22. The bottom flange 23 of the plate 22 is turned upwardly at its inner edge, as indicated at 43, and a portion 44 of this flange 43 is extended upwardly to a point adjoining the under side of the plate 33, and then inwardly and downwardly along the inner face of the member 4|. This extended portion 44 of the flange 43 is provided with an opening 45 for passage therethrough of the links 34 previously described, and it will be noted that the beams 36 are bolted against the inner face of the flange extension 42 by means of bolts 48 which extend through the said beams 36, the flange 42, the member 4|, and the main wall of the side plate 22, thereby securing these parts rigidly together.

A flange plate 41 is similarly secured to the inner face of the side plate 2|, and this plate 41 forms a seat for the transversely extended ortion 39 of the plate 38, as shown in Fig. 15. The flange 23 of the plate 2| is extended upwardly under the plate 41 and inwardly and downwardly after the manner of the flange 44-42 previously described, and this upward extension of the flange 23 forms a seat for the plate 41. The inner edge of this plate is secured to an upward extension 48 of a filler member 49 which is secured against the inner face of the plate 2|, and between that plate and the beam 36, as shown in Fig. 15.

Toward the center of the section 3 and spaced from the inner surfaceof the wall 2| is a platform 5| which as shown in Fig. 10 has a lateral extension 52 which extends transversely to a position immediately underlying the plate 38, this lateral extension 52 flnding a seat upon the top of the inwardly turned portion 42-44 of the flange 23 of the plate 22. This is most clearly shown in Figs. 10, 13 and 15. The edge 53 of the transverse extension 52 which adjoins the end of the section 3 to which the section is connected extends diagonally across the section, as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 15, and depending from this edge 53 is a flange 54.

With reference to Fig. 14, it is to be noted that the downturned inner edge portion 55 of the member 5| is spaced from the adjoining inner surface of the plate 2| by means of a filler member 49 which at this point extends from the bottom of the flange 23 of the plate 2| upwardly to a point well below the level of the platform 5|. It will be noted that this leaves an open slotlike space between the.inner surface of the plate 2| and the adjoining edge of the platform 5|,

this space being designated in Fig. 10 by the reference numeral 56.

At the opposite end of the section 3, the flange 23 of the plate 22 is formed to provide a platform 51 corresponding to the platform described above. This platform 51 has a portion 58 which extends diagonally-toward the wall 2|, see Figs. and 14, the extremity of this extension immediately underlying the proximate end of the platform 5|. From the diagonal edge 59 of the extension 58 a flange 6| extends downwardly, this flange corresponding to the flange 54 of the extension 52 of the platform 5| previously described. It will .be noted that the construction provides a slotted opening between the outer edge of the platform 51 and the inner face of the plate 22, this slotted space being designated in Fig. 10 by the reference numeral 62.

At the lower terminal end of the section 3 is a platform 63, one edge of which immediately underlies the platform 51, as shown in Fig. 14, and the opposite edge of which lies in spaced relation to the inner surface of the wall 2| after the manner of the platform 5| The slotted space between the edge of the platform 63 and the inner surface of the wall 2| is'indicated in Fig. 10 by the reference numeral 64. The inner end edge 65 of this platform extends diagonally from the wall 2| toward the wall 22, as best shown in Figs. 10 and 14. With reference to Fig. 11, it will be noted that the platform 63 has a depending flange 66 which is secured between the beam 36 and the filler member 49, and that the opposite edge of the platform finds a support upon the upwardly inturned edge portion 61 of the flange 23 of the plate 22. A bracket 68 is secured between the flange 66 and the under side of the platform 63 and helps to rigidify and support the latter.

Assuming that the cartons pass into the upper end of the section 3 with the flaps l underlying the flaps 5 and with the latter flaps 5 adjoining the sides of the section, the cartons are thus delivered from the conveyer section onto the platform composed of the elements 39 and 41. As the carton is advanced beyond the inner edges of the elements 394'|, the flap 5 at one side will be supported by the platform 38, whereas the flap on the opposite side and adjoining the plate 2| will be unsupported and will drop downwardly into the space between the inner edges of the elements 41 and 39 and the inclined edge 53 of the platform 5|. As the leading edge of the flap 5 meets the diagonal edge 53 with its depending flange 54, it is forced down into a vertical position, in which position it eventually enters the slot 56 between the outer edge of the platform 5| and the plate 2|. As the advance movement of the carton continues, the opposite one of the flaps 5 is released in the space between the edges of the

elements

38 and 52 and the inclined edge 59 of the platform 51, so. that that flap also, dropping downwardly, is eventually forced into a fully depending vertical position in which it enters the slot 62 between the inner surface of the plate 22 and the adjoining edge of the platform member 51. Both of the flaps 5 are now fully opened, while the flaps 4 still remain closed, and in this condition the carton is delivered from the section 3 to the section I.

It is to be noted that in the event that one of the flaps 5 should underlie the other and be thereby prevented from dropping downwardly into the first of the spaces in the section 3, between the inner edges of the

elements

36, 39

and 41 an the inclined edge 53, which space is indicated at A in Fig. 10, then the opposite flap 5 having opened into the space B will release the first flap so that the latter may drop downwardly and be opened in the space C and by action of the inclined edge portion 65 of the platform 63. It is to be noted also that the slot 56 extends continuously from the base of the inclined edge portion 53 of the member 5| to the end of the section 3, so that once a carton flap has entered this slot, it will be positively held in the fully open position until delivery to the section 1. Still further, it is to be noted that the

plates

22 and 2| may be adjusted transversely as previously described to accommodate cartons of various sizes, the result of such adjustment being illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 16 to 19, inclusive, the cartons 2 pass from the lower end of the section 3 onto aconveyer 69 which is composed of two chains 1|, The ends of the chains H which adjoin the lower end of the section 3 are supported on sprockets 12 on a shaft 13 joumaled in a sub-frame M. This sub-frame,

which is supported at one end on a shaft 15 and at the other end upon an adjusting screw 16, consists of two angle bars II which extend longitudinally of th section 1 and which are connected at their opposite ends by suitable cross bars 18 and 19, see Figs. 18 and 17. The shaft 13 is joumaled in these bars 71 at the end of the frame which adjoins the section 3, and this end of the frame comprises and is supported on two upright angle bars 8|, to the lower ends of which aresecured journal elements 62 which embrace the shaft 15. This latter shaft is joumaled on brackets 93 secured to the fixed frame of the apparatus, as shown in Fig. 18. Struts 84 extend from the lower ends of the bars 8| diagonally to the under sides of the longitudinal frame bars 11, as best shown in Fig. 16. The adjusting screw 16 which supports the opposite end of the frame 14 is rotatably supported by a collar 85 upon the member 86 of the main frame, the screw having at its lower end a crank 81 by means of which it may be turned in the frame. The upper end of the screw, a shown in Figs. 16 and 17, is threaded into a block 66 which is adjustably held on the sub-frame 14 whereby to compensate for the changing angular relation between the sub-frame and the adjusting screw 16 as the former is shifted about the shaft I5 as a pivot.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 18 that the sub-frame 14 is of lesser width than the cartons 2, and that when the cartons pass from the section 3 onto the conveyers 69, the

flaps

5, 5 of the carton have been fully opened and are in a depending position, as previously described and as illustrated in Fig. 18. The

flaps

4, 4, however, are still unopened, and these flaps rest upon the conveyer chains 1 I, II, it being noted by reference to Fig. 18 that the chains find a bearing upon the upper edges of the longitudinal bars TI and, therefore, provide a substantially rigid movable support for the cartons.

At the entering end of the section 1 are a pair of deflector plates 89, one at each side of the sub-frame 14, these deflector plates passing inwardly of the depending flaps 5 and maintaining the flaps in the fully open position, as shown in Fig. 18. The deflector plates 89 are secured to channel elements 9|, 9| which are secured to and are supported on

uprights

92, 92, these uprights, as shown in Fig. 17, being supported at top and bottom respectively upon threaded

rods

93 and 94, these rods being threaded at Opposite ends with right 'and-left-hand threads respectively which are engaged with the respective rods 92. These rods are connected by means of a chain 99 and

sprockets

95 and 98 and may be simultaneously rotated through a crank 91 so as to adjust the rods 92 toward or away from each other so as to reduce or increase the space between the troughs 9I. The uprights 92 also provide support for guide rails 98 which extend longitudinally of the main frame, in which frame the ends of the threaded

rods

93 and 94 are Joumaled, as shown in Fig. 17.

The troughs 9I extend horizontally as shown in Fig. 16, and as the cartons move downwardly on the inclined conveyer 69, the lower edges of the depending flaps 5 are brought into engagement with the bottoms of the troughs, as shown in Figs. 16 and 1'7, so that the cartons are supported upon the flaps 5 which now slide in the troughs 9 I The movement of the cartons in the horizontal trough is effected by action of the conveyer 59 and by,the pressure of the following cartons moving downwardly in the conveyer section 3. As the cartonsadvance in the troughs,

9|, they leave the conveyer 69 as shownin Fig. 16, and since the. chains II of the conveyer 69 are the only active support for the flaps 4,-4 of thecartons, these flaps now tend to open under theweight of the bottles in the carton. This gradual opening of the flaps 4 continues until the.- leading one of these flaps passes from engagement .with-the end of the conveyer 69, at which'point the weight of-the bottles .causes the flap-to fully open, as shown in Fig. 16, whereby the bottles are'deposited upon the belt conveyer 8, the upper end of which underlies the lower end of the conveyer 69, as best shown in Fig. 16. Continued movement of the carton inthe troughs 9I eventually releases the trailing ,one of the flaps 4 so that the bottles sustainediby this flap are-also deposited, as most clearly shown in Fig. 16, on the conveyer 8.

The conveyer 8 operates at one end upon a roller I| which is located below the;lower end of the conveyer 69 and which is carried by a shaft I02 journaled in the main frame of the apparatus. That portion of the upper run of. the conveyer 8 whichadioinsthe pulley IOI extends horizontally from said roller in the direction of movement, aslindicated by the arrow in Fig. 16, this horizontal portion of the conveyer being supported at one end by an idler pulley I03 on the fixed framework of the apparatus. Since the bottles pass from the cartons at a position close to the lower end of the conveyer 69, they drop by gravity upon this horizontal portion I04 of the belt conveyer 8. From the idler pulley I03, the belt extends downwardly at an angle, see Fig. 2, to a point-where the tops of the bottles which have passed from the cartons 2 onto the belt clear the lower edges of the

downturned flaps

4 and 5 and lie below the level of the troughs 9I in which the cartons are movably supported, as previously set forth. At its lowermost point, the upper run of the conveyer 8 is guided downwardly between idler pulleys I05 and around an idler pulley I06 which permits a change in direction of the said upper run without destroying the effective continuity of the belt. Beyond the rollers I05 the belt 8 extends in a horizontal direction, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, until as previously described the bottles traveling on the conveyer 8 are deposited on the cross conveyer 9. By reference to Fig. 2, it will be noted that .the conveyer. 8.passes between side rails I01 which are"suitablysupported in the frame, r these side 'lails' maintaining the bottles against possible lateral displacement; and towards the lower end of the inclined portion of the upper run -of'the .conveyer 8 and onwardly toward the end of the run, guide rails I08 are provided which :function to the same end. At its lower extremity; the conveyer 8 passes around a roller I09, see- Fig. 3, and then returns by the lower run'and .by way of guide pulleys III and H2 to the roller IOI.

The cartons Z'after delivery of the contained bottles to the conveyer 8 are advanced in the troughs 9I as previously described and are subsequently delivered-to a trough II3 which extends over the conveyer 8 and terminates in a transversely extending portion II4 paralleling the conveyer. 9, as'shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 7. At the juncture of the trough II3 with the transverse portion II4, the floor of the said trough II3 terminates in a diagonally disposed and downwardly inclined portion II5, the upper edge of. this portion defining a diagonal line H6, as shown in Fig. 5. When the cartons 2 which are still supported on the depending

flaps

4 and 5 advance to the line H6 they overbalancezin the direction of the extension II4, as indicated in Figs; 5 and 7, and as they move downwardly on the inclined portion II 5, they engage a transverse rod II'l, see Fig. 7, which has the effect of turning the carton completely over so that it comes to rest right side up upon the belt conveyer I2 which extends through the bottom of the extension II4. This belt conveyer I2 parallelsthe conveyer 9.

- Referring again to Fl 9 and as previously described, the cartons 2 -are provided with an interior partition element, this partition being loose in the box andtending when the

flaps

4 and 5 are opened as described above to pass from the carton with the bottles. In order to prevent this displacement of the partition elements from the cartons, we provide an endless chain II9 which extends centrally between and in alignment with the guide troughs 9i. As shown in Fig. 16, this chain runs in a plane which directly overlies the upper horizontal portion I04 of the conveyer belt 8. In that section which immediately overlies the said horizontal portion I04 of the conveyer within which the bottles are deposited upon the latter as described above, the chain H9 is guarded by an overlying guard rail i2I which is shown best in Figs. 16 and 19. This guard rail is supported upon a bracket I22 at one end, which bracket is secured to the fixed framework of the apparatus, and the forward end thereof rests upon the chain H8, see Fig. 19. The guard rail I2I is of a character to deflect the bottles to opposite sides of this rail ifthe latter are dropped from the containers too close to the longitudinal center line of the belt 8, and also prevents the bottles from contacting the chain H9. The chain continues to and through the trough H3 to the point where this trough joins the transverse extension II4, the chain which is indicated in broken lines in Fig. 3 passing around idler sprockets I23 and I24 as shown. Initially, as each carton passes from the end of the conveyer 69 and the flaps are forced to the fully open position by the weight of, the bottles which pass downwardly to the belt 8 as described, the partitioning element 6 if it tends to drop downwardly by gravity will find a support upon the guard rail I2I, and after termination of this ,by means of an endless conveyer I6I, which may rail upon the chain H9. The partitioning element is thus prevented from falling beyond the lower ends of the depending

flaps

4 and 5, and when the inverted container is righted at the end of the trough I I3 as previously described, this element will retain its position between the flaps and will then drop by gravity back into the bottom of the carton.

The several conveyers and the chain II9 are driven from a motor I25 which is mounted on a horizontally pivoted bracket I26 in the bottom of the frame, as shown in Fig. 17. The motor I25 is connected by a belt I21 to a pulley I28 which is carried on one end of a shaft I29. This shaft is journaled, as shown in Fig. 17, on a frame I3I which is pivotally supported at I32 on the fixed frame of the apparatus and which is engaged at the top by a spring I33 which exerts pressure tending to force the frame in a direction to tighten the belt I21. As shown in broken lines in Fig. 1'7, the spring I33 is adjustable to vary the tension upon the frame I3I, and through the frame upon the belt I21.

At the opposite end of the shaft I29 is a pulley I34 which is connected by a belt I35 with a pulley I36 mounted on a stub shaft I31 secured in an arm I38, this arm being adjustably secured to the main frame. The stub shaft I31 also supports a pulley I39 which is connected by a belt I4I with a pulley I42 on the input shaft I43 of a variable speed unit I44. The output shaft I45 of the unit I44 is connected by means of a chain I46 and sprockets I41 and I48 to the shaft I82 of the roller II of the belt 8. The shaft I82 carries a second sprocket I I, and this sprocket is connected by a chain I52 to a sprocket I53 on the shaft 15. This shaft carries at its center portion two sprockets I54 and I55, the latter of these sprockets constituting the drive means for the chain II9 previously described, it being noted from Fig. 16 that the lower run of this chain passes to the sprocket I55 through a channellike guide I56. The sprocket I54 is connected by a chain I51 to a sprocket I58 on the shaft 13, which shaft carries the sprocket 12 for the conveyer chains H, I I. The several elements of this take the form of separate longitudinal endless chains I62, I62 which are connected at intervals with cross bars I63, these cross bars being sufliciently far apart to admit the cartons therebetween, as clearly illustrated in the drawings, and acting to advance the cartons through the section 3, and subsequently through the troughs 9| and H3. By this means, the bottles are deposited in spaced groups upon the conveyer belt 8 as'illustrated. In Fig. 22, transfer of the cartons from the section 3 to the conveyer 69 is provided for by extending the terminal platform 63 beyond the end of th trough as shown so as to afford the necessary su port for the carton until it passes on to the conveyer.

f In Figs. 23 to 25, inclusive, we have illustrated a modification of the flap-opening means of the section 3. In this case, the sides of the troughlike guide are composed of rails I64 which are supported on arms I65 of rotary uprights or posts I66. The posts are connected by a cross link I61 whereby rotation of the posts will result in a simultaneous transverse movement of the rails I64 in opposite directions, thus providing for adjustment of the effective width of the guide section. The bottom of the trough upon which the cartons 2 are supported, as illustrated in Fig. 25, consists of a rail I68, the ends of which are suitably supported upon the fixed framework of the machine as indicated diagrammatically at I69 in Fig. 25. Adjoining-longitudinal sections of therail I68 are offset transversely as best shown in Fig. 23, these offset portions providing for release of first one and then the other of the flaps 5 of the cartons 2 as illustrated in Fig. 25. As the cartons approach the end of this section, the

transmission are best illustrated in Figs. 16, 17

and 18.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 17 that the mounting of the motor and of the tensioning pulley I28 provides for maintaining the several belts I21, I35 and MI in taut condition. The arm I38 which carries the pulleys I36 and I39 is left loose for adjustment about its pivot bolt I59 until the several belts art taut, after which this pivot bolt I59 is tightened to immobilize the said pulleys.

The embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figs. 20 to 22 correspond in essential respects to the embodiment described above, and the corresponding parts are, therefore, designated by. the same reference numerals. The embodiments of Figs. 20 and 22 are identical except in the latter the section 3 extends upwardly to its juncture with the section 1 instead of downwardly as in the former. belt conveyer 8 up'on'which the bottles are deposited from the cartons extends throughout its In both cases, however, the

length in a horizontal direction, and therequired divergence between this belt and the carton guide troughs 9I is afforded by an upward inclination of the latter to a point where the cartons will be entirely clear of the bottles moving on the horizontal belt 8. In both cases, also, the-cartons are positively moved in relatively spaced relation depending flaps are engaged by diverging spring arms I1I which resiliently force the flaps outwardly to an extent'insuring their passage outside of the guide plates 89 by means of which the flaps are directed into the troughs 9| as previously set forth.

It will be noted that the rails I64 may be locked in adjusted position by means of a pin I12 which is engaged in an arm I13 on one of the rotary posts I66 and enters one or other of a series of apertures I14 in a relatively fixed segment I15 immediately below the arm I13.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 26 and 27, a conveyer is employed for the cartons 2 similar to the conveyer [III of the embodiment of Figs. 20 to 22, the conveyer being designated by the same reference numerals. This embodiment employs a trough I16 the floor of which is somewhat depressed along the center line as illustrated at I11 so that the

flaps

5, 5 will tend to drop slightly from the body of the container as shown. A projecting tongue I18 enters the space between the slightly opened flaps and the body of the container and acts to support the carton as the latter leaves the terminal end of the trough I16. Beyond the end of this trough, the sides of the tongue I18 diverge, so that they act as a wedge upon the flaps 5 to spread the latter laterally and finally into a horizontal position resting upon the floor plate I19 of a guide trough I8I which extends at right angles to the trough I16, the side walls of this guide trough I8I being formed by rails I82, I82. The cartons are moved longitudinally of the guide trough II by a flight conveyer corresponding substantially to the conveyer I6I of the trough I16. In this case, however, the side chains I83 of the conveyer extend over the tops of the cartons, as clearly illustrated, and are provided with interconnecting depending plates I84 which engage the cartons and cause them to move longitudinally with the conveyer on the floor plate I19 of the guide trough I8I. Sections at opposite sides of the floor plate I19 are cut away as illustrated to an extent releasing the flaps 4 and permitting these flaps to drop downwardly under the weight of the bottles within the carton in the manner previously described so as to deposit the bottles from the carton onto an underlying belt conveyer I85.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 27 that guide rails I86 are provided at opposite sides of the conveyer I85 so as to limit the movement of the flaps 4 whereby these flaps function temporarily as a means for confining the released bottles in a proper upright position on the conveyer belt. It will be noted also that at the inner edge of each of the cutout portions I81 of the floor plate, through which openings the flaps 4 are permitted to drop downwardly as described, a depending plate I88 is provided, these plates occupying a position substantially at the mid section of the overlying carton and acting to guide and to support the bottles as they pass downwardly from the carton onto the belt I85.

Instead of the apparatus shown in Fig. 26 for opening the flaps 4 to release the bottles from the cartons, we may employ the device shown in Fig. 28. In this case, instead of the flat floor plate I19 of the other embodiment, we employ a centrally depressed floor structure consisting of two side plates I89 converging inwardly and downwardly toward each other, and in conjunction therewith a tongue I9I at the end of a flat floor plate I92 which is aligned with the plate I89. The tongue I9I overlaps and extends endwise into the depression of the plates I89, the relatively narrow extremity I93 of the tongue being ofiset downwardly in parallel misalignment with the body of the plate I92 and being joined to the latter by an inclined rearwardly expanding portion I94.

In this instance, the cartons 2 are advanced on the plates I89 by a chain conveyer I95 having depending lugs I96 for engagement with the cartons as illustrated. The flaps 5, being opened and spread outwardly on the plate I89 after the manner for example shown in Fig. 26, the inner flaps 4 will be supported on the plates I89 in the manner shown in Fig. 31, the weight of the bottles in the carton pressing the flaps 4 down flatly upon the convergently inclined surfaces of the floor plates. The offset extremity I93 of the tongue I9I is thus permitted to enter within the flaps 4, and between the flaps and the bottles, as clearly illustrated, and the continued advancement of the cartons will, under these conditions, cause the bottles to ride up the incline I94 onto the flat plate I92. The flaps 4, on the other hand, will drop downwardly at the sides of the plate I92 when the support aiforded by the plates I89 is terminated. At each side of the plate I92 is an inclined guide flange I91 which guides the flaps 4 into a depending position, as shown in Fig. 28, and directs the lower ends of the flaps into'troughs I98 which starting below the plane of the plate I92 are inclined upwardly with respect to this plane as illustrated.

At the end of the plate I92 is a conveyer I99, the upper run of this conveyer being in the same plane as the plate I92 and forming in effect a continuation of the latter. The bottles, therefore, which are caused to rest upon the plate I92 as previously described are by the movement of the cartons carried onto the conveyer I99 on which they are conducted to a suitable point of disposition. The lower edges of the depending flaps 4 are guided upwardly in the channels I, the flaps acting as supports for the cartons and thereby gradually lifting the cartons from the bottles resting on the conveyer I89. The conveyer I99 and the chain I are synchronized so that the rate of movements of the bottles and the cartons is such as to effect a clean separation of the cartons from the bottles, leaving the latter upright on the conveyer I99.

As shown in Fig. 28, the conveyer I99 comprises two longitudinal belt elements 20I, 20I which are separated at the centers sumciently to permit of passage therebetween of an endless cord element 202, this element passing around a sheave 203 at one end and being guided so that the upper run thereof will parallel the guide troughs I98 and the upwardly inclined section of the chain conveyer I95. The upper run of the element 202 underlies the open end of the carton and will act to support a partitioning member 204 corresponding to the member 6 previously described, thereby retaining this element in the carton until such time as the position of the latter is reversed. This belt element 202 also functions in part to support the flaps 5 of the carton and to take a portion of the weight of the carton itself off of the supporting flaps 4. It will be noted that this form of the device is of advantage in that the carton is lifted from the bottles instead, as in the other embodiments, of eifecting the separation by a gravity movement of the bottles from the cartons. This embodiment, when combined with the form of the device illustratedin Fig. 26 as previously set forth, is also of advantage by reason of the relative simplicity of form and structure.

There may be other modifications without departure from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with a guide for the cartons, of means for advancing the cartons successively in inverted positions along the guide, means in the guide for opening the outer pair oi. the closure flaps of the cartons, and means in the guide for subsequently releasing the inner pair of closure flaps so as to permit discharge of the contents from the carton.

2. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with a guide for the cartons, of means for advancing the cartons successively in inverted positions along the guide, means in the guide providing for release of the two outer closure flaps of the carton, means for adjusting the said flaps to substantially vertical positions at the opposite sides of the carton, means in the guide for transferring the support of the carton to the said flaps so as to release the inner closure flaps, and means underlying the guide for reception of the contents of the carton.

3. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with means for advancing the cartons in inverted positions successively over a predetermined path, of means in said path for first opening the outer closure flaps and for subsequently releasing the inner closure flaps so as to permit discharge of the contents from the carton.

4. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with means for advancing the cartons in inverted positions successively over a predetermined path, of means in said path for first opening the outer closure flaps and for subsequently releasing the inner closure flaps so as to permit discharge of the contents from the carton, and a conveyer underlying the said path for reception of said contents.

5. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with means for advancing the cartons in inverted positions successively over a predetermined path, of means in said path for first opening the outer closure flaps and for subsequently releasing the inner closure flaps so as to permit discharge of the contents from the carton, and a conveyer underlying the said path for recep tion of said contents. said conveyer being relatively close to said path at the point of said discharge and diverging in the direction of movement from the path.

6. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with a guide for the cartons, of means for advancing the cartons successively in inverted L positions along the guide, means in the guidefor permitting the outer closure flaps to swing downwardly toward the opposite sides respectively of said guide, means for adjusting said flaps into substantially vertically depending positions in the guide, a conveyer positioned to receive the cartons with the said flaps-depending at each side thereof so that the inner closure flaps are suppported by the conveyer, and trough elements in said guide for receiving the lower edges of the depending flaps to thereby support the cartons on the latter whereby as the cartons leave the conveyer the said inner flaps are permitted to swing downwardly toward the front and rear of the carton respectively and to thereby release the contents from the carton.

7. In apparatus for opening-and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with a guide for the cartons, of means for advancing the cartons successively in inverted positions along the guide, means in the guide for permitting the outer closure flaps to swing downwardly toward the opposite sides respectively of said guide, means for adjusting said flaps into substantially vertically depending positions in the guide, a conveyer positioned to receive the cartons with the said flaps depending at each side thereof so that the inner closure flaps are supported by the conveyer, trough elements in said guide for receiving the lower edges of the depending flaps to thereby support the cartons on the latter whereby as the cartons leave the conveyer the said inner flaps are permitted to swing downwardly toward the front and rear of the carton respectively and to thereby release the contents from the carton, and a second conveyer immediately underlying the guide at the terminal end of said first-named conveyer, said second conveyer traveling in the same general direction as the cartons in said guide and diverging from the latter in the direction of travel.

8. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with a guide for the cartons including means for supporting the cartons in inverted positions, of means for advancing the cartons successively along the guide, said supporting means having transversely extending recesses arranged respectively for release of the outer closure flaps so as to permit the flaps to swing downwardly toward the opposite sides of the guide respectively, cam elements associated with said recesses for ad- Justlng the said flaps after release to a substantially vertical position in which they are adapted to constitute a support for the carton, and means in said guide at the terminal end of said supporting means for receiving the lower edges or said depending flaps and providing a support for the flaps upon which the latter may react to sustain the carton and to thereby release the inner closure flaps to permit the contents to discharge irom the carton.

9. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with a guide for the cartons including means for supporting the cartons in inverted positions, of means for advancing the cartons successively along the guide, said supporting means having transversely extending recesses arranged respectively for release of the outer closure flaps so as to permit the flaps to swing downwardly toward the opposite sides of the guide respectively, cam elements associated with said recesses for adlusting the said flaps after release to a substantially vertical. position in which they are adapted to constitute a support for the carton, means in said guide at the terminal end of said support means for receiving the lower edges of said depending flaps and providing a support for the flaps upon which the latter may react to support the carton and to thereby release the inner closure flaps to permit the contents to discharge from the carton, and means for adjusting the efiective width of said guide.

I 10. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with a guide for the cartons, of means for advancing the cartons successively in inverted positions along the guide, means in one portion of the guide for releasing the outer pair of closure flaps and for adjusting said flaps to substantially vertical positions at the opposite sides of said guide, trough elements in another portion of said guide adapted to receive the lower edges of said depending flaps to thereby provide a support for the cartons through the flaps, and a conveyer forming a connecting link between said guide portions and being angularly adjustable in vertical planes with respect to said portions, said conveyer constituting a support for the inner closure flaps and providing for release of said flaps at the terminal end thereof.

11. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons oi the character described, the combination with a support for the cartons and means for advancing the cartons on the support in inverted position and endwise with respect to a pair of closure flaps at the under side of the carton, and a second support positioned in the path of the carton and arranged to receive the latter by displacement from the first support, the proximate end of the last-named support being arranged to enter above the said flaps so as to permit the flaps to open downwardly to the sides while the carton is maintained upon the support.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the first-named support is formed with downwardly converging side portions providing for partial release of the said flaps afiording an open space for admission of the said proximate end of the second support.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the first-named support is formed with downwardly converging side portions providing .for partial release of the said flaps aflording an open space for admission of the said proximate end the second support, and wherein further the said end is provided with a downwardly offset narrow extremity joined to the'body oi the support by means of an inclined laterally expanding portion.

14. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with a support for the cartons and means for advancing the cartons on the support in inverted position and endwise with respect to a pair of closure flaps at the under side oi! the carton, a second support positioned in the path of the carton and arranged to receive the latter by displacement from the first support, the proximate end of the last-named support being arranged to enter above the said flaps so as to permit the flaps to open downwardly to the sides while the carton is maintained upon the support, a conveyer forming a continuation of the said second support in the direction of travel of the carton, and guide means for the carton extending upwardly and away from the conveyer also in the direction of movement of the carton, said guide means providing for gradual elevation of the inverted carton from said conveyer.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the said guide is paralleled by an element immediately underlying the open under side of the carton so as to prevent displacement from the carton of a contained partitioning structure.

16. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with a support for the cartons and means for advancing the cartons on the support in inverted position and endwise with respect to the outer pair of closure flaps at the under side of the carton, a second support positioned in the path of the carton and arranged to receive the latter by displacement from the first support, the proximate end of the last-named support being arranged to enter upon the said flaps so as to permit the flaps to open downwardly to the sides while the carton is maintained upon the support, means for guiding the flaps to a transversely extended position resting upon said secand support, means for changing the movement of the carton on the second support to a direction endwise with respect to the inner pair of 010- sure flaps, a third support positioned in the path of the carton and arranged to receive the latter by displacement from the second support. the proximate end of the third support being arranged to enter above the said inner flaps so as to permit the flaps to open downwardly to the sides while the carton is maintained upon the support, and means for elevating the carton from the support.

17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein a conveyer is provided as a continuation of the said third support and adapted to support the contents of the carton after the latter has been withdrawn from the conveyer.

18. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with support means for the cartons and means for advancing the cartons in inverted positions on the supports, and means for opening the closure flaps at the under side of said cartons so as to deposit the contents of the latter on said support.

19. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein means is provided for withdrawing the cartons from the support and away from the said deposited contents.

20. In apparatus for opening and emptying cartons of the character described, the combination with a support for the cartons, of means for advancing the cartons in inverted position on the support, means operatively associated with the support to provide for opening of the closure flaps at the under side of the carton so as to deposit the contents of the carton on the support, means for separating the carton from the contents, and means associated with said separating means for preventing displacement from the in-' verted cartons of a loosely inserted separator structure.

STEPHEN G. SEIDEL. ROBERT P. LOWNES.